Broadward Hall and The Lee

Enjoy an afternoon visit to the magnificent gardens at Broadward Hall, followed by a tour of The Lee, just 20 minutes away.

Much altered in the 19th century, Broadward Hall has a Regency Gothic appearance. A much earlier dwelling is recorded in a deed of 1650s. In 1672, hearth tax records Broadward Hall had seven hearths - more than any other house in the area apart from Abcott Manor.

Broadward Hall estate is a site of special scientific interest. Visitors will tour the gardens, where the Regency walled garden is being renovated, then visit the Victorian pump house, restored with a grant from DEFRA, and the site where a Bronze Age hoard was discovered in the mid-19th century (now in the British Museum).

A collection of Phormium and various rare and important plants may be seen. Broadward Hall also holds the Collection of Historic Hemerocallis (1959 -1979), which are planted in the walled garden. The plants that make up this important historic collection were bred by three English hybridisers. There are more than 100 cultivars creating a wonderful display. Many were relocated to Broadward from Waterperry Gardens during 2021.

Those who are interested can also visit the early 19th century archery walk lined with giant sequoia trees. Afternoon tea will be served in the music room or on the terrace at the end of the tour.

After leaving Broadward Hall at 4.30 pm, visitors will make the short drive to The Lee where the tour begins at 4.50, followed by refreshments on the verandah.

The Lee was built for William and Agnes Hathornthwaite, a gentry couple from Lancashire. The house was completed for them in 1896, with an Edwardian room (now the library) added in 1904.

The house has a Gothic Revival exterior and Arts and Crafts interior. There are just over three acres of garden, including extensive water gardens laid out by James Pulham and Sons (who won a medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851). The water garden includes rockeries, waterfalls, bridges, ponds, and lake with island. There is a Japanese garden near the house.

Part of the walled garden is undergoing restoration to be a reimagining of the parterre that was described in Country Life in 1905 and the shrubbery shown in an early photograph by celebrated Welsh photographer, P. B. Abery (now held by the People’s Collection Wales).

The owners will give a tour of the principal entertaining rooms and the garden, describing the history of The Lee and explaining the repairs and restoration work that is in progress.

Refreshments will be served on the terrace at the end of the tour, where visitors can enjoy views of the Teme Valley, with the Welsh hills to the south and the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the north.

Tickets £44 including tea and cakes at Broadward Hall, and soft drinks and canapes at The Lee.

Please see our cancellation policy below:
If you cancel more than two weeks before the tour is scheduled to take place, we will fully refund your ticket money excluding any phone booking fees. If it’s less than 14 days before a tour, for any reason, we regret that we cannot refund your ticket money unless we can resell your ticket(s). If we cancel at any time, we will fully refund your ticket money. Although we make every effort to avoid it, sometimes a tour has to be cancelled at short notice due to circumstances beyond our control. In this case, we cannot accept responsibility for, or refund, any consequential losses, such as money spent on travel or accommodation.